Mildred "Millie" Ruth (Cannamore) Kirchoff

Mildred “Millie” Ruth (Cannamore) Kirchoff, 84, of Orange Grove, Texas —born on August 6, 1940, in Beeville, Texas, to the late Nell Archer and Milburn Theo Cannamore — passed away on July 9, 2025.

Millie was a loving wife, mother, sister, teacher, and grandmother whose life was defined by kindness and creativity.

She married Alton Kirchoff on June 5, 1981, and together they built a blended family full of laughter, care, and meaningful memories.

Raised by her Aunt Ruth and grandfather, Millie showed resilience and determination from a young age. She began working at just 15, with her first job at an A&W Root Beer stand and went on to earn two four-year scholarships. Throughout her early adult life, she held a wide range of roles, including bank teller in New Jersey, court stenographer, and paralegal — experiences that reflected her intellect and strong work ethic.

A proud graduate of Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Millie earned her master’s degree in education and dedicated over 20 years to shaping young minds as a teacher and administrator. Her career spanned Beeville ISD, Alice ISD, Orange Grove ISD, and Corpus Christi ISD before her retirement in 2005.

Millie was the beloved mother of Mitzi Kay Haeber, whom she adopted as an infant. She often described that day as her fondest memory:“The day Miss Ward — the director of placement for adoptions in Corpus Christi — placed a 2-week-old baby girl into my arms to be her mother.I adopted her and named her Mitzi Kay Haeber, born April 9, 1965.”

She was also a stepmother to Renee Marie Kirchoff and Darren Scott Kirchoff and cherished her role as “Grandma Millie” to her step-grandchildren: Ashtun Hecker, Lauren Herschap, John Kirchoff-Ortiz, McKenzie Flick, and Savannah Harris — as well as all of her great grandchildren.

Millie’s creative spirit shone in her hobbies of knitting, sewing, and baking. She lovingly crafted clothes and toys for her family, friends, and even her doctors as she loved to give to others.Her baking skills were well known as she won numerous NEC baking competitions and never missed an opportunity to bake birthday cakes or sweet treats for those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Milburn Bruce Cannamore. She is survived by her sisters: Pearl “PeeWee” Blake, Drenda Harper, and Flora Strand.

Millie’s life was a testament to kindness and creativity. Her legacy lives on in every hand-stitched blanket, every cake made with love, and in every heart of all who had the joy of knowing her.

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Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com